To find out more about United Way of Greater Victoria, check out the above video!

 

What is the United Way?
United Way is a registered charity that connects people and resources throughout our community to identify and address our most challenging social issues.

What does the United Way do?
For 75 years, the United Way of Greater Victoria has worked with our partners to build a strong, caring and inclusive community. Today, while fundraising is still core to what we do, we are a leader convening stakeholders to collaborate and find the best possible solutions to issues in our community. In 2012, United Way funding to 68 community partners helped deliver 117 programs and services to our community’s most vulnerable people.


What programs and services does United Way Support?
We fund programs and services that align with the three impact areas that the community told us were important:

All that kids can be – child and youth programs that prevent bullying, enhance self-esteem and increase school success and high school graduation.

Healthy people, strong communities – programs that help individuals overcome isolation, mental health and addictions issues, and build strong community connections.

From poverty to possibility – programs that help individuals develop the skills they need to move out of poverty and become self sufficient.

Who decides where the money goes? And where does it go?
The United Way works with community partners to identify the most pressing community issues. Our Impact Council (a panel of experts from the community) monitors the funds. Any registered charity can write a proposal for a project that helps address these issues. The Impact Councils carefully review each proposal, select the most feasible and accountable, and invest millions of locally raised dollars.

Why give to United Way?
The success of a community depends on those who live in it. Your gift supports individuals, families and whole neighbourhoods – making everyone stronger. And gifts to United Way stay in our community supporting local people and programs.

Why not donate directly to individual charities and cut out the middleman?
United Way is the best way to address the whole spectrum of community issues. We play a vital leadership role in the community identifying the most important issues, the best strategies for addressing these issues and measuring results. We are efficient and effective.

Can I direct my gift to a specific charity?
Yes. Donor directed giving is a service provided as a convenience to donors who want to consolidate their charitable giving to United Way and other charities. To offset administration costs, United Way charges a $12 cost recovery fee per designation to another charity.

How much did United Way raise in the community in 2011?
$5.9 million – with the help of over 1,000 volunteers in 500 workplaces and individual community donors.

How much did it cost to raise that money?
In 2011, our cost of fundraising was well below the national average. Our small staff team of six fundraisers relies on campaign volunteers and loaned representatives to lower the cost of fundraising.

Who are the campaign volunteers?
We have an amazing team of community volunteers who work together to help us help the community. They serve on our Campaign Cabinet, as Leadership Chairs and Presenters, and represent their workplace as Employee Campaign Chairs.

What is a Loaned Representative? What does that person do?
A loaned representative (LR) is a person who works for a local company and is loaned to United Way for a 16-week period to help with our campaign. Their employer continues to pay their salary and benefits as they bring their skills to United Way to help us raise money for the community. Not having to pay for extra campaign staff is one way we keep our overhead so low.

Does organized Labour support United Way?
Yes. Provincial and federal employees, trade union and health care workers all contribute generously by designating a portion of their pay cheque to United Way. Labour members also participate as volunteers on our Board, Community Cabinet and within workplaces throughout the community. United Way has a strong, positive relationship with labour.

Can people phone the United Way to get help?
United Way is not a service delivery organization. We help manage, advise, and invest in the “front line” agencies who deliver programs to those in need.

What kinds of donations are tax deductible?
All your pledges and cash donations are fully tax-deductible and we are happy to provide you with a receipt. Gifts of shares and securities are likewise appreciated and deductible according to Canada Revenue Agency.

Currency
Canadian currency only is accepted at this time. We accept Canadian cheques and cash, MasterCard, VISA and American Express credit cards. If you are donating on-line through our Donate web link, CanadaHelps accepts donations by credit card, including Visa, MasterCard and Amex, and by Interac Online.

Receipts
Receipts are issued automatically in real time by Canadahelps if you donate through our website. Receipts are issued automatically by our office for any donations $25 or over on a regular and timely basis. We are pleased to issue receipts for lesser amounts on request, please call Ann at 250.220.7356 or email ann@uwgv.ca

Can I cancel my donation?
No. Donations are non-refundable according to the Canada Revenue Agency. You cannot change your mind once you’ve made a charitable donation that has been receipted.

How do I cancel my monthly gift?
You may revoke authorization at any time, subject to notice.

To cancel a monthly gift made through credit card or automatic bank deduction directly with United Way of Greater Victoria, contact Christina at 250.220.7358 or email christina@uwgv.ca

To cancel a monthly gift made through our website and administered by Canadahelps, log in to your MyCanadaHelps account and delete the monthly gift in the Monthly Giving section.

My question isn’t listed here, how do I get more information?
For more information, click here for our staff listing page, or call us at 250.385.6708 or email general@uwgv.ca